As we draw closer and closer to the month of June it is becoming more and more likely that if Major League Baseball does indeed get underway the Philadelphia Phillies will be holding a “spring training” at Citizens Bank Park and possibly other nearby facilities.
Jim Salisbury at NBC Sports Philadelphia wrote this afternoon that training in Philadelphia is “likely” according to his sources.
The proposal being discussed between MLB and the MLBPA (players union) remains for an early July opening to be preceded by a two-three week spring training period. That period would begin in mid-June.
Salisbury speculated on how the organization might utilize a number of facilities in carrying out such a training process here in Philly:
“The Phils still have 53 players on their spring roster, but there are two spacious clubhouses in the ballpark that would allow players to spread out — provided they are even allowed to use the clubhouse. There are five outdoor pitcher’s mounds at the ballpark and more across the street at the team’s Urban Youth Academy at FDR Park. The Youth Academy has two full-size diamonds if extra field space is needed. The Phillies also have ownership stakes in their Triple A club in Allentown and their Double A club in Reading so those ballparks could also be utilized, if necessary.”
Fans would not be permitted to attend the training sessions and media access is something that would still need to be worked out.
There had been some consideration to holding spring training and even the entire season at the club’s usual spring training facility at Spectrum Field in Clearwater. That remains a fallback possibility should circumstances not allow Philadelphia to become a viable option.
Further details regarding any possible startup dates, as well as coverage of spring training and the regular season should they actually get underway, will be covered here at The Bell. Be sure to follow the website and our social media feed @philliesbell on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
MATT VEASEY 